Julie Bartholomew’s ceramic practice is inspired by cultural issues and social debates. Over her career, Julie has explored the threat of extinction to native flora and fauna, communication technology, the fashion industry as well as climate change and its impact on the Antarctic. As Julie writes, “The multi-coloured glazes capture the hues, tones, shades of glaciers, ice beds and atmospheric effects of the Aurora Australis. The translucent, material qualities of crystal glass and high fired porcelain make visible evidence of climate change hidden within the glaciers and ice beds of Antarctica.” Julie uses the industrial technologies of mold making and casting as tools for one-off sculpture. As with all of Julie’s projects, she combines extensive research of her subject with technical expertise to create works of profound meaning and beauty.
Julie Bartholomew completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1980 and after completing her Graduate Diploma of Education, gained her PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2006. In the same year she was awarded the International Gold Coast Ceramics Award. Julie was also a finalist in the 2019 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award at the Shepparton Art Museum. She was one of only 6 artists selected as a finalist for this prestigious award and in the same year completed a two-month residency with the Jingdezhen Taoxichuan JAEA International Art Center in China. Julie has been exhibiting both nationally and internationally for over twenty-five years and her work is in many collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum (China), and the WOCEK International Ceramics Collection (Korea).
